Every Pat, Ralph, and ... Harry?

[alexpgp]

The Libertarian Party ticket is headed by a fellow named Harry Browne, and unless you've been exposed to libertarian ideas, it's likely you've never heard of him or the party. From what I am able to figure, I guess the mainstream media want to keep it that way.

Tim Russert, who does Meet the Press, apparently decided to feature Pat Buchanan and Ralph Nader on his show this coming weekend - he said last weekend it would be a "debate" - despite the fact that even with virtually no media attention, Browne leads Buchanan in a number of states, and is making a creditable showing against Nader, too.

A recent Libertarian Party press release notes that:

• Harry Browne leads the third party pack in Georgia with 4%. Buchanan trails at 1%, and Nader isn't even on the ballot.
  
• Harry Browne is tied with Ralph Nader in Illinois at 3%, and leads Buchanan by two points.
  
• In Colorado, Nader leads, but Browne is close behind with 3%, while Buchanan polls only 1%.
  
• In Kansas, Nader and Browne are tied, and Browne leads Buchanan 2 to 1.

And this is despite the fact that Buchanan gets 60 times the coverage that Browne gets (according to Lexis-Nexus), and Nader gets more than Buchanan.

I guess what gets me about this is that the media - which is supposed to be reporting the process - is instead actively shaping it and taking sides. In this case, they've decided to take someone who is outpolling Pat Buchanan pretty consistently and they are lumping him in with the other 200+ people who are on the ballot in various jurisdictions, running for the office of President.

If anything, it should be the other way around. Buchanan is clearly off in the fringe, while a debate between Browne and Nader would definitely bring up some issues for discussion.

Scroom. Time for sleep.

Cheers...

Comments

[papoose.livejournal.com]

I think the media acitvely shapes everything it can.

Send 'em a message

[cg07446.livejournal.com]

It's really outrageous. Yesterday, I sent the following email to Tim Russert with a cc to program director Nancy Nathan. I urge everyone who agrees to call or email something similar. Be polite.

Meet the Press (202) 885-4598 mtp@nbc.com
Tim Russert (202) 885-4548 tim.russert@nbc.com
Nancy Button Nathan (202) 885-4656 nancy.nathan@nbc.com

Mr. Russert:

I am an ardent follower of Meet The Press (and, admittedly, the other Sunday morning news programs) and a particular fan of yours. However, I must admit that I am disappointed that you are including only Pat Buchanan and Ralph Nader in what you referred to last week as "debates." It seems to me that you have based this decision on Buchanan's and Nader's celebrity rather than any objective criteria.

I am not a member of any political party, but I believe you should include (at the very least) Harry Browne in any debate that includes third party candidates. He is at least tied in many poles with Buchanan and, since the Libertarian party is on the ballot in all 50 states, has at least a mathematical chance of winning the presidency. Please don't yield to Mr. [William] Safire's "gladiatorial" argument [presented on last week's program] and submit to a celebrity joust when a contest of ideas should be what electing a president is all about.

I urge you to reconsider. I know it is not too late to schedule other candidates.

Thanks for your time and consideration.